Chilmark House
Designed and built in Chilmark, MA, this project covers almost five acres of previous unbuilt land in the heart of the farming and artistic community that is “Up-Island” Martha’s Vineyard. We developed the house and studio as a pair of barns with low pitched roofs that sit quietly in the landscape.
The site, a former sheep grazing field, overlooks Chilmark Pond and long views to the Atlantic. In a nod to New England’s bank barns, the long barn is set into the hillside, diminishing its scale from the north and creating direct connections to the outside from both upper and lower levels. The buildings form a series of courtyards and outdoor spaces, with varying degrees of privacy and views.
Designed and built in Chilmark, MA, this project covers almost five acres of previous unbuilt land in the heart of the farming and artistic community that is “Up-Island” Martha’s Vineyard. We developed the house and studio as a pair of barns with low pitched roofs that sit quietly in the landscape.
The site, a former sheep grazing field, overlooks Chilmark Pond and long views to the Atlantic. In a nod to New England’s bank barns, the long barn is set into the hillside, diminishing its scale from the north and creating direct connections to the outside from both upper and lower levels. The buildings form a series of courtyards and outdoor spaces, with varying degrees of privacy and views.
An integral process in the making of Chilmark House was the research and testing that went into producing the shou sugi ban louvers that exist on the exterior of the structure. Shou sugi ban is a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation utilizing heat.
An integral process in the making of Chilmark House was the research and testing that went into producing the shou sugi ban louvers that exist on the exterior of the structure. Shou sugi ban is a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation utilizing heat.
Within the dark exterior, bleached ash lines and lightens all surfaces. The ceilings in the public rooms lift to the high ridges, with dropped areas to create a children’s sleeping loft high in the roof. The lower level consists of a series of bedrooms with shared spaces between that look into light wells, landscaped with local rocks and moss.
Within the dark exterior, bleached ash lines and lightens all surfaces. The ceilings in the public rooms lift to the high ridges, with dropped areas to create a children’s sleeping loft high in the roof. The lower level consists of a series of bedrooms with shared spaces between that look into light wells, landscaped with local rocks and moss.
Video content courtesy of Jonathan Miller.